The fire continued to increase, and the whole heavens became lurid.

I dispatched messenger after messenger to Generals Howard, Logan, and Woods, and received from them repeated assurances that all was being done that could be done, but that the high wind was spreading the flames beyond all control.
These general officers were on the ground all night, and Hazen's division had been brought into the city to assist Woods's division, already there.

About eleven o'clock at night I went down-town myself, Colonel Dayton with me; we walked to Mr.Simons's house, from which I could see the flames rising high in the air, and could hear the roaring of the fire.

I advised the ladies to move to my headquarters, had our own headquarter-wagons hitched up, and their effects carried there, as a place of greater safety.

The whole air was full of sparks and of flying masses of cotton, shingles, etc., some of which were carried four or five blocks, and started new fires.